The Lady Without Camelias Page #8

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- Fancy that!

I want to talk to Gianni, where is he?

He called me two minutes ago

from Cinecitta.

What do you want from him?

He's preparing a film, a good one.

The main part's a woman.

Know anything about it?

Has he the actress yet? Are you involved?

No, we're not partners anymore.

He does things in a big way now.

He may be right, who knows?

This thing's organised rather well.

But you and Gianni?

Maybe only he can still

understand me.

- Will you come with me?

- Of course, as you wish.

- Signorina Manni, we'd like...

- No!

- It'll only take a moment...

- Leave her alone.

Don't insist.

- Good day, Clara.

- Excuse me, please.

Look what you make me do.

Wait like a student.

I hear you've been here for months.

You don't think I deserve an explanation?

- I don't think you do.

- Why do you treat me like this?

What've I done to you?

- I never understood.

- I know you've never understood me.

Have you thought what all this was for me?

What I was willing to give up?

Remember that letter to my husband

you advised me not to leave?

I left it, without telling you.

I thought you behaved thoughtlessly

and I still do.

Certainly it's ridiculous to talk to you

like this. It was all ridiculous.

Now leave me alone.

Know where I'm going?

To ask my husband for work.

We have to see each other soon, Clara.

To begin again like before?

- Goodbye, Nardo.

- No, I want to see you today.

Call me. I'll be home all day.

- Have you seen Dr Franchi?

- He's at the transformer.

Ah, okay.

Heavens, so many extras!

It must be the film shooting

in Theatre 14.

There's a film to please you,

an artistic film.

Who knows if I'll ever get to do

a role like I say.

A dramatic one.

If only Gianni -

Listen, you haven't seen Gianni in so long,

maybe it's better I leave you two alone.

Please, come too.

I'll join you in two minutes.

Here it is - go.

- Hi, Renata.

- Hi. What're you doing here?

I have to talk to Gianni.

Don't you think he's suffered enough?

Leave him alone!

- He can't do anything for you.

- He makes films.

This time I got there first.

How you've changed, Renata.

Gianni!

Clara, what a surprise!

I wanted to call you.

- I'll be right back.

- Sure.

- Hey, your lawyer, he's never around.

- His office is on via Nazionale.

Yes, via Nazionale,

but he's never there.

What're you doing? Excuse us.

Want to chat?

I know you're starting an important film.

Yes. So look, first of all

I wanted to tell you...

I didn't want to disturb,

just to ask one thing.

About the separation?

Yes, I've already talked to my lawyer.

I'm happy to see you

now that we're calm.

To have wanted to kill!

Think what you reduced me to!

You were not to give in. It was madness,

it would have ended anyway.

I didn't come just to talk about

the separation.

You know, you're prettier. Let me see.

You look good with short hair.

Shall we talk business a bit?

I came to talk about

this famous film of yours.

I know there's a part.

I thought maybe you...

- or have you already given it to Renata?

- Renata? I don't think so!

- So, it's still available?

- For you?

Among others, I'm in talks with an American.

Oh, when people find out who she is!

But I do have something for you.

That's why I wanted to call.

The Thousand and One Woman.

Great title, full of appeal.

It'll have a good comic,

and a wonderful part for you!

Thanks, Gianni, I'll think about it.

Of course, think about it.

But, listen, some advice, eh?

You have a name

that's still good for certain things.

But Clara, well...

youth's not eternal. So...

Clara, let me know, eh?

What do you want me to do?

If she'd been a gentleman

I'd have tried to extract something.

It would have been a good fortune,

now that I think of it.

I'm so tired.

Imagine, to be able to stay some

days at home, not a lot, just a few.

Maybe in bed, with everything paid for.

Don't be afraid,

I'm just talking.

I wonder why it's never

crossed my mind.

I thought I thought of everything.

Last year for example,

I was two months out of work.

I'm not alone, I have a baby.

If I were alone

I could look after myself better.

- I don't mince words...

- Look, la Manni!

It's Clara Manni!

- With that face, if only she could act.

- What can you do?

Look at her.

The next day I fainted.

More from weakness than fear...

- Rebecchi!

- Here.

- Del Brocco!

- Present.

- Conto!

- Present.

- Di Vete!

- Present.

- Marinelli!

- Present.

- Domboloni!

- Present.

- Gilberti!

- Here.

- Gabbioli!

- Present.

- Montalvi!

- Present.

- Somma!

- Here.

- Lande!

- Present.

- Pagliari!

- Here.

- Ventura!

- Present.

- Nardini!

- Present.

- Aloisi!

- Present.

- Bordoni!

- Present.

- Chimi!

- Present.

- Did you talk to Gianni?

- Yes.

What did he say?

I didn't want to say anything,

but I knew that for this role he needed...

A serious actress!

And I won't ever be one.

I realized it two minutes ago.

How stupid, eh?

- I realized it only now, when I heard...

- Clara, be practical.

- You can still earn all you want.

- Yes, making the films that you say.

Three months I've been studying, working,

living in hope of doing something better!

Come on, you're great for certain things.

Why discourage yourself?

It would be a shame to...

Relax, nothing will happen.

What do you want me to do?

Go back to being a shop assistant?

Maybe I should have stayed there,

but now...

Can't you see that I've changed too,

that I'm stuck in the middle?

Sorry, but it sounds like

you're blaming me?

- Ferranti!

- Present.

- Oddi! Is Oddi here?

- Present.

- Secca!

- Present.

It's a different scene. It can't be done,

the architect says so too.

Done deal!

- What?

- It's a deal!

Are you joking or serious?

I've never said anything more serious

in my life.

Come, Clara, come!

- It's a matter of principles.

- What do you care?

Look, we have to start right away!

Here! Here's your film.

Look, this is your kingdom

and these are your slaves.

Come forward, girls.

I'll get you the script.

Luisa, the script for the signorina.

There aren't any left,

we need to get more copies made.

Do it now. Run. Hurry!

The script's what it is,

I don't even want to reread it.

- This isn't a joke, eh? I warn you!

- Get in touch with my lawyer.

Wait, I won't let you go

until you've signed the contract.

- Listen!

- Yes.

Tell Giorgini to come here now.

Actually, tell him to meet me in the bar.

You come too, Luisa.

We'll go and have a drink.

It's crazy to think how much

it's going to cost to get rid of Garofalo.

I bet he's managed it.

- How lovely and warm.

- We'll warm ourselves up a bit!

- Girls, let's go!

- Let us warm up a bit!

Come on!

- Come right away, I need you.

- I'm coming!

Mario!

What did I say? Here she is!

She's ours! This is your director.

I never even hoped for this!

- Clara, we'll have dinner tonight.

- Not tonight.

We'll celebrate here then!

Martini and Champagne for everybody!

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